Polyelectrolyte-Ion Complexes as Stimuli-Responsive Systems for Controlled Drug Delivery

Abstract

The non-covalent chemistry behind the complexation of polyelectrolytes (PEs) allows the rational design of different architectures within the nanometer scale with properties that can be exploited in wide fields of applications. In this chapter, we introduce the concept of polyelectrolyte–ion complexation and describe the process of formation of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) through interaction between PEs and multivalent small molecules. Furthermore, we highlight the employment of different building blocks with the objective to design NPs with the ability to respond to specific stimuli and act as smart nanocarriers for different biomedical applications.